REVIEW – Bellroy has always been a leather wallet company in my head. It’s clear they have branched out over the years into bags, gadget organization and other accessories, and meanwhile have continued to excel at wallets. When Apple introduced MagSafe and their compatible wallet, I was immediately interested and subsequently let down at the magnetic strength and challenge of extracting cards from the wallet. Somehow I missed Bellroy’s Mod Phone Case + Wallet for the iPhone 12 series, but lo and behold, the iPhone 13 version has a different wallet style and it looked like it might just address the frustrations I had with Apple’s offering. Let’s see.
What is it?
The Bellroy Mod Phone Case + Wallet is available for the iPhone 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max and pairs a beautiful leather phone case with a matching magnetic wallet that holds 3 cards. Unique registration features between the two aid the magnetic attachment to keep the wallet firmly attached.
What’s in the package?
- Bellroy Mod Phone Case for iPhone 13 Pro
- Mod Wallet
Specs
Phone Case:
- Slim leather with protective polymer edges and microfiber lining
- Available for iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
- Magnetic ModRails keep the detachable wallet firmly secured to the phone case
- Compatible with MagSafe charging (with wallet removed)
- Dimensions: 75 x 151 x 12.5mm
- Backed by a 3-year warranty
Wallet:
- Slim wallet fits up to 3 cards
- Leather with protective polymer edges and microfiber lining
- Magnetic trapdoor keeps cards securely hidden yet easily accessible
- Dimensions: 68 x 98 x 8.5mm
- Backed by a 3-year warranty
Design and features
Bellroy’s Mod Case seamlessly blends the leather and the polymer sides with only the color break hinting that there’s a material change.
In the above shot, the thin white sliver you see between the wallet and case is a layer of tissue helping keep the leather perfect until you use it the first time. Inside the vibrant blue microfiber, liner protects the back of your phone with a slight debossed circle teasing the MagSafe compatibility. The individual buttons are pressed and captured into the sides of the case resulting in a very good feel when actuating. The port and mute switch openings are all precise as well.
The wallet attaches immediately below iPhone 13 Pros larger camera cluster which makes it really hard to misalign, especially with the magnetic assistance.
On the back, there are two features specifically for attaching the wallet. Bellroy calls them Magnetic ModRails. They are recessed channels to mate with the positive features on the backside of the wallet. With the wallet removed, this case is fully MagSafe compatible working with chargers and MagSafe mounts.
Here are the corresponding features on the wallet. The top one is harder to see as it’s hiding right on the top edge.
The wallet holds 3 standard cards and has a cool magnetic door that keeps cards locked inside.
The front of the case has a slight lip that sits just above the height of a screen protector but provides good protection from face down placements on flat surfaces without affecting screen swipes.
Setup
- Press your phone into the case, and slide your 3 favorite cards into the wallet.
- To attach the wallet, just place on the back of the phone with the door opening to the right. The magnets will take over as you get close.
Performance
So I’ve definitely said this in reviews before, but when an accessory fits and functions really well, it can blend in so seamlessly that you kinda forget you’re using it. This is absolutely the situation with the Mod Phone Case. The buttons press as easily as they do running the phone without a case. The leather feels great, blending into the corners in a way that just welcomes your hands. In fact, the closest thing to an edge is the small protrusion on the door of the wallet. It makes finding and opening for card access so quick that any sharpness is forgivable.
That same lip is actually the easiest way to remove the wallet from the case since it snugs in so tightly to the phone case. The door uses a living hinge that rests in the closed position with the aid of a magnet so you actually hold it open while you are extracting a card and it snaps shut the second you let go.
You might be able to get 2 credit cards and 2 thinner cards like an ID and medical insurance card, but don’t force it as it’s tricky to pinch a stuck card out. With 3 cards you can just use your thumb and slide. If your cards still have embossed numbers, you may want to flip/rotate stack them together to have them lie as thin as possible.
After running this combo for more than a month, I can confidently say that this is the best slim, phone mounted wallet that I’ve used. Easily detached for mounting/charging my phone or just to put the wallet in a front pocket if needed. The leather barely looks distressed after that period of time and I really like the Obsidian color which is like a deep navy blue. Bellroy also makes this available in Black, Cobalt, Lagoon, Terracotta and Citrus. Note that the Lagoon and Citrus have a much more pebbled leather finish.
What I like
- Fit, feel and button action of the case
- Stay-put-ability of the Magnetic ModRail System – Wallet does not move until you want it to
- Security of cards in the wallet
What I’d change
- Nothing
Final thoughts
If you’re on board with the minimalism of a 3-card wallet that attaches to your phone, you’re not going to find a better implementation than Bellroy’s Mod Case. The ModRail system provides that extra security keeping the wallet on the phone while still making card retrieval easy. When you don’t want the wallet, need to charge or mount your phone it’s easy to remove. Well done Bellroy. Well done.
Price: $99.00
Where to buy: Bellroy and Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Bellroy
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Thanks for sharing, is that soft like silicon or it’s type of hard case?
Soft. I own one it pretty good, but the top of the case is lil bit off, just a slight gap now and then, not a really fit and tight case since it’s a really thin case. The leather edge may seem flawless but if you get one on hand, you’ll soon discover it not that strong in bonding with the silicone. Hope it’ll last overtime…
Do you have to remove the wallet to remove cards from the wallet?